Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has officially sworn in the newly elected local government chairmen, emphasizing the importance of equitable governance. During the ceremony held at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna on Friday, Sani urged the chairmen to distribute the benefits of democracy fairly, without discrimination based on political affiliation, gender, religion, or ethnicity.

The governor highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in managing public funds, reminding the chairmen that they are now in positions of authority at a time when local governments have been granted financial autonomy. “Your allocation from the Federation Account will be public knowledge, necessitating transparency and accountability. Be available, accessible, responsive, and fair in your dealings,” he stated.

Acknowledging the pivotal role of local government chairmen as grassroots leaders, Sani encouraged them to be the voice of the people, acting as advocates and champions for their communities. “Listen to their concerns, address their fears, and harness their potential. Empower the people to participate in governance and ensure their voices are heard,” he urged, quoting Robert W. Flack: “Local government is the foundation of democracy; if it fails, democracy will fail.”

Sani implored the chairmen to focus on essential services such as rural infrastructure development, agricultural enhancement, and the upgrading of health centers and schools. He urged them to align with the state government’s rural transformation agenda and connect communities that lack access to state roads.

“You engaged with communities during your campaigns, listened to their concerns, and received feedback on their needs. I charge you to prioritize these needs, guided by the principles of equity, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability,” he said, reminding them of the expectations placed upon them by the electorate.

In his concluding remarks, the governor encouraged the people of Kaduna State to hold their leaders accountable, demand transparency, engage in the budgeting process, and insist on quality service delivery. “The people’s engagement is crucial to ensuring transparency, accountability, and quality service delivery in the local governments,” he affirmed, calling for a collective effort to restore faith in local governance.